Some questions on keeping Cardinal Tetras

[Momojay]

pardon mi 4 me for interupting....i used to keep 100pcs of cardinal tetra in a 1ft tank....all wipe out within a week. i guess it might be due to over-crowded..

i am setting up a 2.5ft tank now (with java/flame/stringy moss), and i wanna want to try to keep cardinal tetra (100pcs) again. do you think it's ok with the room and quantities?

also, saw from some of the threads that there are wild and farm bred cardinal tetra, where and how can i buy or tell the difference bet between farm breed and wild cardinal tetra?

tq thank you

[StanChung]

Hmmm, tough question, answer is depends how good you are as a fishkeeper. If you are able to keep ammonia 0, nitrite 0 then it's ok.

This means enough filtration, not overfeeding, regular WC, etc. IMHO 50 would be good as you have to take into consideration that these guys can reach 2.5 inches.

[Quixotic]

Hi Momojay,

Welcome to AQ.

If you have not noticed in other threads and posts yet, SMS lingo (tq, 4, ur, in2, ur, mi, m etc) is not encouraged in the forum as they are terribly difficult to read and not easy to be understood.

Please kindly co-operate in making this forum a better place for other members.

Many thanks.

[Shadow]

100pcs of cardinal tetra in a 1ft tank, way over croded, can they still swim?

Give them enough space to swim around together. It is very nice to see them schooling. I still think 50 fishes are too much, maybe start with 25? you can still add later on.

[oblivion]

for a 2.5 ft i think 50 is more or less the max you should go
100 is too much

i suggest you add in the fishes 10 at a time
start adding the 1st 10 at least 2 weeks after setup
let it cycle for awhile at least
and add 10 more each time with maybe a week or so between each addition

also have proper acclimatisation when you add the fishes
make sure the fishes you buy are healthy and in good condition as well - it helps

and don;t dump in the whole lot at one go
you are just asking for a high casualty rate if you do that

[Momojay]

thanks for all the valuable advise. i will keep them in mind. any good suggestion on the LFS to buy cardinal tetra? saw some recommend Gan's Fish Farm, but its too far for me, as i stay in Punggol.

thanks!

P.S. : thanks Quixotic for helping to fine tune of lingo. guess i have too quit my laziness in keeping short-hand liao...hahaha

[Quixotic]

When setting up a new tank, do allow your tank to complete the nitrogen cycle before adding the fishes.

Regarding farm bred and wild fishes, there are no distinct differences. My believe is that majority of stock out there are still wild stock.

Do start a thread in the Aquatalk section on the availability of the stock if need to.